1100 Aluminum Bar Price 2025

For 2025 the typical market price for commercially pure 1100 aluminum bar lies roughly between $1.10 and $3.50 per kilogram depending on region, quantity, mill-processing and finished temper; at the primary-metal level LME aluminium cash prices trade near $2,600–2,700 per tonne (≈ $2.60–$2.70/kg) and premiums, fabrication and logistics push finished 1100 bar prices above that LME baseline in many markets.

What is 1100 aluminium?

1100 is a member of the 1xxx wrought aluminium family, commonly described as “commercially pure” aluminium. It contains at least 99.0% aluminium and small amounts of copper, silicon, iron and other residuals. The alloy retains excellent electrical and thermal conductivity, superior corrosion resistance, and high ductility. It cannot be strengthened by heat treatment; it gains strength only through cold working.

Chemical composition and designation

Typical composition ranges for 1100 (UNS J91100 / Al99.0Cu) include:

• Aluminium (Al): ≥ 99.0%

• Copper (Cu): ~0.05–0.20%

• Iron (Fe): ≤ 0.95%

• Silicon (Si), Manganese (Mn), Zinc (Zn) and residuals: trace levels within standard limits.

Standards commonly used for sheet, bar and rod forms include ASTM and ISO designations (for example, ASTM B221 for wrought products and ISO 6361 references for related forms). These standards control chemical limits, mechanical test methods and permitted tempers.

Mechanical and physical properties

1100 is chosen when formability, conductivity or corrosion resistance matter more than high strength. Representative properties (subject to temper and processing):

• Density: ~2.71 g/cm³.

• Tensile strength (ultimate): often in the range ~80–110 MPa depending on temper; common annealed values sit near the lower end.

• Yield strength: low — roughly ~30–40 MPa for annealed conditions.

• Elongation: high, often 15–28% which makes the alloy easy to bend and draw.

• Modulus of elasticity: around 69 GPa.

Because mechanical values vary with temper (O, H1x, H2x, etc.) always request the mill test certificate (MTC) for the exact batch when strength matters.

Common product forms, tempers and surface finishes

We see 1100 supplied in these commercial forms:

• Solid round bars / rods (turned, cold drawn), diameters from a few millimetres to large sections.

• Flat bars, square bars and hex bars.

• Slugs and cut-to-length blanks for machining.

• Extruded profiles for architectural and electrical applications.

Tempers: O (annealed) and various H-tempers (H12, H14, H18) are typical. Surface finishes include mill finish, bright-drawn, and anodized finishes; note that the relatively low alloy content influences the anodizing appearance compared with higher-alloy grades.

Typical applications and industrial sectors

1100 is often selected for:

• Electrical components and busbars where conductivity and corrosion resistance matter.

• Heat sinks and thermal conduction parts.

• Decorative or architectural applications that require bright, easily worked surfaces.

• Chemical and food-processing equipment where corrosion resistance against many media is required.

• Prototyping, spinning, deep drawing and light-duty structural parts where strength is less critical.

We emphasize that the alloy’s good formability makes it a frequent choice for complex metalworking operations.

How prices for 1100 aluminium bar are formed in 2025

Price components (we treat these separately so procurement teams can see the levers):

1. Primary metal baseline (LME price). The London Metal Exchange cash/three-month aluminium price sets the raw-metal baseline used by many traders and manufacturers. In early September 2025 LME cash values hovered near $2,600–2,700/tonne.

2. Regional premiums and duty. Finished bar trades carry premiums above the raw LME value to cover local supply/demand, alloying and conversion. Political or tariff changes can spike regional premiums quickly — in 2025 US import premiums widened after tariff actions changed import economics for buyers.

3. Processing and fabrication costs. Extrusion, drawing, machining, anodizing and special tempers add unit cost. Profiles that require tight tolerances or secondary operations are priced noticeably higher.

4. Quantity and contract terms. Large, long-term contracts reduce per-kg prices. Small orders and cut-to-length pieces cost more per weight.

5. Logistics and lead time. Shipping, inland freight, storage, and L/C or payment terms are part of landed cost.

6. Scrap and recycling credits. In some supply chains, returnable scrap or included alloy remelt credits slightly alter effective cost.

2025 market snapshot — what drove price moves this year

Key themes in 2025 influencing aluminium and finished-bar pricing:

• Inventory and warehouse concentration. Large stock positions on exchanges and in storage can create short-term tightness or loosening that changes premiums above the LME baseline. Recent regulatory inquiries into concentrated holder positions drew market attention in September 2025.

• Policy and tariff shifts. Sudden tariff changes on imports amplify premiums for domestic buyers and shift trade flows. Such moves were observed in mid-2025 in several markets and contributed to regional premium spikes.

• Macro demand outlook. Investment banks revised forecasts through 2025 reflecting weaker global growth and variable demand from construction and automotive sectors; this affects traders’ expectations and near-term prices.

2025 Global price comparison

Below is a concise comparison table we prepared from current offers, regional indices and spot supplier quotes. These are indicative market ranges for finished 1100 aluminium bar in 2025; final quotes depend on size, temper, finishing, MOQ and incoterm.

How to read this table: the LME serves only as a raw-metal benchmark. Finished 1100 bar prices can sit below the LME per-kg in specific low-addition, bulk export cases (often when sellers quote for large quantities, ex-works) or well above it when local premiums, cutting and machining are included. We recommend purchasing teams treat the LME as a reference then add expected conversion and logistics cost to estimate landed price.

Practical procurement checklist (what we insist on)

When sourcing 1100 bar, we advise buying teams to insist on the following:

• Mill Test Certificate (MTC) showing chemical analysis and tensile tests.

• Temper designation clearly stated (O, H14, H16 etc.) along with percent elongation.

• Dimensional tolerance and straightness specification.

• Surface finish requirement (mill finish, bright-drawn, anodized) and inspection acceptance criteria.

• MOQ and packaging (drum, wood crate, bulk) and whether corrosion inhibitors or anti-rust paper are included.

• Incoterm, lead time and penalty terms for late delivery.

• Warranty and traceability (heat number traceable to the MTC).

Short orders and one-off prototypes may carry substantial per-kg premiums; bundling buys or negotiating term contracts can reduce cost.

Fabrication notes — machining, forming, joining and finishing

• Forming: 1100 excels at bending, spinning, deep drawing and roll forming. For operations that require high ductility choose annealed (O) temper.

• Machining: Because it is soft and ductile, 1100 machines well but can smear or gall unless sharp tooling and optimized feeds are used. Coolants and chip evacuation reduce surface rub.

• Joining: Welding is workable; brazing and soldering are standard. Mechanical joining (rivets, fasteners) is common when electrical conductivity is needed.

• Heat treatment: Heat treatment will not appreciably strengthen 1100. Strength increases come from cold work.

• Surface coating: Anodizing is possible but the relatively pure matrix produces a pale, less contrasty anodic film than some higher-alloy grades. Painting and powder coatings are standard for corrosion protection and aesthetics.

Storage, handling and packaging

Store bars in a dry, covered location. For long-term storage keep small clearances between bundles to avoid moisture traps; use desiccant or anti-rust paper for long sea shipments. When stacking, use timber or polymer separators to prevent surface marring.

Sustainability and recycling

Aluminium is highly recyclable; scrap returns a meaningful value stream. Recycled aluminium requires a fraction of the energy used to produce primary metal and can reduce lifecycle emissions. For buyers with sustainability targets, specify recycled content where appropriate; that may change cost and lead time. Market scrap flows and recycling premiums can slightly move regional prices.

Risk factors buyers should watch closely in 2025

• Tariff & trade policy shifts that can rapidly change landed cost. Monitor announcements from trade authorities.

• Exchange-rate swings that affect import pricing.

• Warehouse concentration and large holdings that can distort short-term physical availability. Regulatory scrutiny of large holders may affect near-term supply.

• Processing bottlenecks that increase lead times for specialty tempers or tight-tolerance bars.

Negotiation and cost-saving tactics we use

• Lock in multi-month supply contracts to reduce volatility exposure.

• Combine sizes and tempers in a single order to reach supplier price breaks.

• Ask suppliers for landed cost quotes including packaging and inland freight to avoid surprise fees.

• Where possible, use local stockists for urgent small orders and overseas direct shipment for bulk loads.

• Evaluate reclaimed-scrap credits if your production generates returnable scrap.

Example costing exercise

If LME cash = $2,650/t (≈ $2.65/kg), and a supplier charges a $0.60/kg conversion + premium + freight for a standard round bar, the landed estimate becomes:

• LME baseline: $2.65/kg

• Conversion/premium: $0.60/kg

• Total estimate: $3.25/kg

This matches the upper mid-range of finished bar offers in several regions in 2025, particularly where duties or transport are significant. Always request itemised cost breakdowns.

How we verify supplier claims

When assessing a new vendor for 1100 bar we request:

• Valid MTC tied to heat/lot numbers.

• Independent third-party chemical test if critical.

• Sample cut-to-size piece for dimension & finish verification.

• Proof of production capacity (mill partner or in-house).

• References from recent buyers in the same industry.

Short-term outlook for remainder of 2025

Analysts were revising short-term aluminium forecasts through 2025 on weaker global demand assumptions; that tends to cap upside in primary prices while regional premiums can still swing due to trade policy or local logistics. For finished 1100 bar, expect continued regional spreads and occasional premium spikes where tariffs or logistics tighten supply.

Global price table

Below is a compact price snapshot we keep updated internally. Use this for ballpark budgeting; verify with live quotes before finalizing purchases.

FAQs

Q1: Is 1100 aluminium bar a good choice when electrical conductivity is the priority?
Yes. The high aluminium content yields good electrical conductivity compared with most wrought aluminium alloys. For busbars or conductive parts we recommend testing the exact temper and finish that meet your conductivity target, and request conductivity measurement on the MTC when needed.

Q2: Can 1100 be hardened by heat treatment?
No. 1100 cannot be strengthened significantly by heat treatment. Strength adjustments require mechanical cold working (rolling, drawing, etc.). Always specify required mechanical properties and temper when ordering.

Q3: How much does anodizing affect price and lead time?
Anodizing adds processing cost and lead time. Because 1100 produces relatively pale anodic films, buyers sometimes choose paint or powder coating for color-critical parts. Get a sample anodized piece to confirm appearance before full-quantity runs.

Q4: Are online B2B platform prices reliable?
Platform listings provide a fast indication of market ranges, especially for small-lot export offers. However, quotes may exclude cutting, inspection, packaging or freight. Always request formal commercial quotation and MTC before acceptance.

Q5: What quantity achieves the best per-kg price?
Large, full-truckload orders or multi-ton contracts obtain the best unit prices. Small prototype or cut-to-length orders face higher per-kg rates due to higher fixed costs and more handling. Negotiate price tiers with suppliers when possible.